Music before sporting events is nothing new, but I feel that headphones in locker room has become more common these days.

Even in the lower grades, it’s not out of the ordinary to see players doing their stretches while listening to music through headphones.

To be honest, I’m not entirely sure the blokes in my team are even listening to music, there’s a chance they’re just pretending to avoid listening to my pre-game advice.

So is music necessary before you play?

If you need tunes to get yourself in the right frame of mind, aren’t you just going to struggle once you hit the pause button and the whistle blows?

It’s definitely an individual thing. Some people prefer peace and quiet to get in the zone.

And it’s fair to say headphones in the locker room is the dominion of the youth.

When was the last time you saw a veterans player stretching the hammies, hanging on to a Walkman while blasting The Eagles.

Regardless, I got the lowdown from some of Australia’s top hockey players to help you put together the ultimate pre-game playlist.

It’s finals time in Victoria. I’ll take all the help I can get!

12 songs from Australian players to get your head in the game

1. Rachael Lynch Closer To The Edge – 30 seconds to Mars

“Mine is 30 Seconds To Mars – Closer to the edge. It’s the backing track to our video montage from the Commonwealth Games 2010 and so whenever I hear it the memories come back.”

2. Glenn Simpson Embrace Me – Safia

“It’s a toughy. It’s either Bon Iver – Skinny Love because it helps me to relax, feel composed and ready to play. Or something like Safia – Embrace me, that makes me feel alive, in the present and ready to attack the next few hours.”

3. Madonna Blyth Not Giving In – Rudimental

“I always listen to Not Giving In by Rudimental as it was on a highlights package made for me. Great memories and a pump up!”

4. Jodie Kenny Horses – Daryl Braithwaite

“My pump up songs are Horses – Daryl Braithwaite and Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty. They’re old favourites I share with Ashlee Wells.”

5. Georgia Nanscawen Freaks – Timmy Trumpet

“Freaks by Timmy Trumpet was our goal song at the 2014 Champions Trophy. It brings back good memories and a good pump up as we head out to battle!”

6. Anna Flanagan: Timber by Keisha

“Everyone goes crazy when it comes on and joins in the singing (really badly) but it is a lot of fun.”

7. Ash Nelson Anything by Celine Dion

“Smashing out a power ballad pre-game is more than inspirational.”

8. Aran Zalewski Lose Yourself – Eminiem

“Though I’m not really one for pump up tunes.”

9. Edwina (Eddie) Bone Viva La Vida (live) – Coldplay

“There is something about the atmosphere in the song with the crowd and the band singing together, it really pumps me up and I get a good sing-along!”